Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-08-18

glad, because il all the parents and
friends come there1l hardly be room
enough here
Miss Taylorr" Mr.. Gibson repeated,
somewhat blankly, it struck his teach
err.
But he went on talking of something
else, and talked on till the striking of
the clock made him Jump up.
He had fallen into the habit of STAY
ing after his lesson was over TO talk;
so that after twenty lessons it was not
strange that they felt tolerably we'll
acquainted. And Lefty had confided
to herself more than once that Mr..
Gibson was "uncommonly" entertain
ing and nice.
The rehearsal passed off with all pos
sible smoothness; but Mr.. Gibson was
not there. Lefty had received note
from him at the last minute, stating
his unavoidable detention.
A bunch of flowers had accompanied
it, and white rose shone in Lstty's
soft hair at the rehearsal.
Little Genevieve came and PLAYED
successfully. Mrs. Gibson came with
her, and she smiled blandly on LEFTY,
and complimented her on Genevicve's
progress. She did not mention her
son, and Lefty went home vaguely
wondering.
She gave Genevieve a lesson next
day. She didn't understand why it
was, but the imposing hall, with its
stately furnishings, and the charming
III fgnNp 4.
depressed her.
She had another rose from Mr.. Glib
sons bouquet in a button hole of her
jacket, and she looked down ut it
rather drearily. She had come to
know him so well. and all this gran
deur seemed to thrust her So hope
lcssly far away from him. Not that
she had that thought distinctly in
mind. She was Il sensible girl. aud by
no means foolishly impressionablc and
romantic. But She was dimly UNI
happy.
1t was due to this mood, doubtless,
that she forgot her muf. and was 20
ing on her way home without. She saw
yoang Mr. Gibson run up the steps as
she turned back, and she walked slow
ly in order to avoid him.
His hat was on q peg when she was
admitted to the hall. Lefty looked 1T
it wistfully. 1t looked wocfullv differ
ent, hanging on maho.rany hat rack,
with long mirror, amt living infor-
mally on her piano top at home.
The notes of the Gibson piano were
sounding, and Lefty listened wonder
ingly. She recognized the Moonlight
Sonata, brilliantly and charmiusly OK
ecuted.
Who was it? Mrs. Gibson possibly;
but Lefty had had the impression that
Mrs. Gibson didn't play.
She listened with quickly apprecia-
tive admiration and with some longing,
because she felt certain that that was
better than she could have done.
She went on into the music room in
eager curiosity.
Her muff lay on the chair where she
had left it; but Lefty did not take il.
She stood quite still in the doorway,
gazing speechlesS at the person on the
piano stool.
IL was Raymond Gibson. He was
absorbed in his occupation. His head
was thrown back, and his eyes were
on the ceiling.
He was using the pedals vigorously.
His music teacher haG stoo in the
doorway some three minutes before he
became aware of her presence. Then
there was Il crashing Of the KEYS.
Miss Whitaker ga>pcd her pupil.
Lefty only gazed at aim. She was
quite stunned.
Mr.. Gibson sprang to his feet
Don't look like thatw he entreated,
rushing towards her. Don't Miss
Whitaker
But Lefty shrank back, her ewes
fixed upon him in solemnity and stern
ness.
"What-what does this mean. Mr..
Gibson?" she said, with an austerity
which was married by her faltering
voice.
Nicholson pulled her gently inside,
and shut the door
IL know you'll forgive mew he inn
plored.
Lefty looked at him with rrddcning
cheeks, and then burst into tears.
What did you 10 it for?" she
sobbed.
What forp" her pupil repeated,
standing very close to her and getting
possession Of one OF her hands. Don't
you know, Miss Whittaker-Letty?
I've wanted to know you so-for years
ever since first saw you. And I'd
begun to think | never should be able
to manage it. | used to lie awake
nights worrying over it. And walking
home with you that day hadn't in
tended it, truly, but we were talking
about your pupils, you know, and the
idea occurred to me, and-and |
couldn't help it. Don't be angry. !
did accomplish it, YOU SEQ. We do
know each other. What's the odds,
dear?"
You've made me perfectly ridicu-
lous?' Lefty sobbed.
If she had heard his last adjective,
she ignored it.
mo, no-Ive been careful not to!
Nobody knows it-not a soul. That's
why didn't go to the rehearsal-the
Taylors know can play, you see. j"
He did his best to stifle laugh; but
his teacher was laughing, too, through
her tears. The vision of her tall pupil
laboring through Little Katy's First
Waltz" overcamc her.
you ought to be ashamed Of your
self!'' she cried, laughing and crying
together.
81 AMI ami" said Raymond. "I'm
ashamed; but am not sorry. Why.
| might not have known you yet If |
hadn't"
Then he paused. palpitatingly.
What duets we'll have when we're
married. dear?" he said softly.
What will your mother say?" said
Lefty, gasping with bewildored JOY.
Say? She'll say I've got the sweet
est girl in the world. She hasn't any
ridiculous notions; and, besides, she'll
never think of denying me anything |
want.
And neither did she.